Who would have thought a mustard stain was that difficult to remove, and why?

Mustard gets its signature yellow color by the addition of turmeric. Turmeric is also used as a dye which is why it is so difficult to remove. Along with the yellow hue the stain may also contain grease give that mustard is commonly used on burgers and hotdogs.

Washable garment: It is best to bring it in to Courtesy Cleaners prior to any at home treatment because you could set the stain. If you want to try a home remedy, pre-treat the stain with a bit of vinegar or fresh lemon juice, the acidity counteracts the turmeric. Also add a small amount of laundry detergent to help remove the grease. Do not rub! Allow the garment to sit for ½ hour than wash as usual. Check the garment before placing it in the dryer. If the stain was not removed completely, repeat the above process again.

Dry Clean Only Garment: Blot the mustard, but do not rub. Do not try any home stain removal techniques due to the nature of the fabric you may end up damaging the garment by chafing the fibers or removing the dye around the stain. Mustard stains need professional attention, so bring your garment in to Courtesy Cleaners as soon as possible. The longer the stain sits the more difficult it will be to remove.